Fatherly Pride [Théodred Heavenshield]

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Voss Academy
Planet Voss

It had been too long since last father and son were able to spend time together, just the two of them. Between Théo's Jedi training and Thurion tending to the many duties that come with the position of Grandmaster, spare time was scarce. He had been able to set aside enough time for him and Coci to pay the family patriarch a visit on Midvinter, but unfortunately neither Théo or his sister were able to join them. Thus, now was to be strictly father-son time; no distractions.

Thurion had sent word to Théo that he would await him by the old tool shed where they years earlier had shared a similar moment between father and son - the time he instructed him on how to assemble his very own lightsaber. Now, [member="Théodred Heavenshield"] had been granted the honour of knighthood through his hard work and discipline, and as a father Thurion could not be prouder.

Sat humming one of Master Asha's songs on a simple wooden bench, its white paint long since worn and faded with time, Thurion saw fit to delve into one of his favourite pastime - that of the manipulation of wood and the creation of trinkets and useful objects alike. Very few times did he know what he'd end up with by the time he was done, preferring to let the chisel in his hand do the thinking for him. This was how he found relaxation, and Force knows he made enough conscious decisions on a regular basis to find enjoyment in doing so in his spare time as well.

In front of him stood another bench, identical in size and shape; however, its craftmanship was sturdier and its paintjob pristine in stark contrast to its older counterpart. Upon it sat another block of wood and a chisel, awaiting a younger, more eager hand to begin its transformation. Such was the way of the world, the way of life; the old give rise to the new, which in the end will replace them.

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

When the message came through that his father wished to see him, the first thing Theo thought was that he was in trouble. Although not as 'adventurous' as he once was, there was still mischief afoot, and even recently Mysa and his good self had, sorta stolen a ship, sorta. So it was this that Theo had though the reason for the summon, but when he learned to meet him at the old shed and not his office, Theo relaxed more. But still, he did not know what his father wanted of him.

Theo had learned to accept that his parents time is limited, even for the family and even though they don't want this and would much prefer to spend as much time with their children as possible, it was not possible. It is the nature of the Jedi Way. And Theo had not seen his father in a long time, at least it seemed that way to the young man. He has altered greatly, not only physically but in his countenance. Theo is more drawn inward, more introspective and quiet that childhood glint in the eye had faded replaced with a growing knowledge of the workings of the galaxy, that always .. always removed innocence.

He walked the grounds crossing the lawn toward the end of the main gardens that surround the Temple. Theo has taken to wearing his Jedi robes, regardless of the occasion as he believes this is his destiny, his calling, which never ceases and so he wears the attire of those great in his eyes. The Silver Jedi.

He hears the humming first as he approached, walking along the narrow path etched in the ground from traveling creatures that find this end of the garden their home. It is a tune Theo is not familiar with, not one of his childhood although father used to hum to him as did mother. His father 'feels' at peace, yet not but that is expect too, after all he has much that needs his attention and would be forever on his mind. They have missed so much of each other of late, not just Thurion but Theo too and there is a sense of distance, like meeting someone for the first time in a long time. Months can seem like years to a child.

Both Theo and his mother are happy for Thurion that he has his brother back and childhood friend, the family had increased but Theo had to wonder at what cost. Something had been eating at his mother and Theo had not had the opportunity to meet his uncle again since that day in the Tower, a man that barely acknowledge his existence. So the family is not completely happy like they are to believe.

"Father?", he spoke as he approached and saw him working a piece of wood. "You asked for me?", Theo's voice now a lower timbre as he now sits on the turn into manhood. He wanted to run to him and throw his arms around his neck and to feel the security of his fathers but he remained in place and bowed to grand master.

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[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

His gaze rose to meet that of his son, a smile reaching from cheek to cheek as he put down his tools. "I did," he simply said while getting up on his feet, now stood inspecting the young man dressed in similar-looking robes. Théo had grown much the last couple years; taller, broader shoulders, sturdier stature, and the faint glimpse of his first facial hair starting to sprout. The dark hairs made them easier to discern, but all it did was make Thurion realise how much time had been wasted between them; him being busy running the Silver Sanctum, and Théo being busy completing his Jedi training. Still, there was no denying that the dark-haired, blue-eyed person standing before him was none other than the boy he'd once pulled from his mother.

He stepped forward and threw his arms around his son, embracing him tightly as if fearful of letting him go. As if he would lose him. "My boy," he whispered over his shoulder. Thurion still had more than a foot of height on him, but he had little doubts that he would one day surpass him. "Let me look at you," he then said as the fatherly embrace came to an end. His hands gently cupped Théo's cheeks and brushed away a few wayward locks of black hair. The sapphire eyes stared back at him, as if looking into a mirror. His hands dropped to the lad's shoulders, feeling his son's youthful strength, and he nodded in approval. "You are becoming a man in your own right," he stated proudly.

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

For the length of the embrace, Theo had turned back into the new born baby he had been once, his arms reached around this father's back and took fists fulls of his robes, like a baby curling it's fingers around his father little finger and holding on for life itself. All the mantel of grand master and knight swept away and now they are simply just father and son. It was the best feeling in the known galaxy. "I love you father", he whispered back.

As the embrace ended all to soon, Theo looked up into his father's eyes, he saw himself there, reflected in his eyes not just of the colour but his image stared back at him and he smiled. "Yeah, but I still have a bit work to do growing to match you", he teased.

Raising his hand to his own chin, "So how do you think a goatee would look?", he asked, "You teach me how to shave?". Theo looked over his father's face, a little older and lined with wisdom but he is still the same man, if not stronger and more powerful which only caused Theo to want to be like him even more. He noticed his father's longer hair, thicker beard and it reminded him of the Valkyri and of course, grand papa. Theo's own hair was sitting just above shoulder length, black and wavy and curled naturally and no matter what mother would say, he would not cut it. Well maybe just once a year.

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[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Thurion couldn't help but let out a laugh. "Don't you worry, you still have a few years before you'll need to worry about that. But yes, I will teach you one day." Again he embraced his son, before they would both take a seat on either bench; Thurion the older, worn out bench, and Théodred the younger, pristine one. Now sat opposite to each other the elder casually picked up his block of wood and chisel and resumed his work, all while keeping Théo in his line of sight at all times. This was their own little tradition when just the two of them, ever since he'd taught him the basics when he was but a boy. It saddened him that their meetings had lessened with each year.

"So, anything on your mind you'd like to talk about? Used to be you could barely sit still, you had so much to share," he spoke to break the silence, peeking up at Théo to see how he was doing. "You've completed your padawan training. I wonder what's next for Jedi Knight [member="Théodred Heavenshield"]? Maybe some adventuring in the four corners of the galaxy? Perhaps finding love?" he pondered aloud to get a conversation going. A younger Théo would gag at the notion of being in love with a girl, but Thurion figured the older Théo may have come to realise the, shall we say, 'benefits' of girls his age. No doubt an embarrassing topic between father and son, more so for the son than the father, but he was genuinely curious.

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

A smile broke out over his face as he took the bench opposite his father. Without thinking much about it, Theo picked up the block and chisel but before he began to work he studies the grain of the wood turning it over to look for any flaws or knots but found none. The grain ran the length of it, small lines to indicate the natural formation and it smelt nice, a piece of pine supple to work which reminded him of his home planet.

Nothing was in his mind to create this day, so he would let the moment decide for him. He flash at look to his father, watching his hands move and the wood curl, then his eyes met his .. just for a moment, before he lowered his gaze to begin. A stifled laugh only answered his father for now, simply because he did not know where to start in what he wanted to say or ask.

"Knight training was very hard", he said softly as the wood curled under this 'touch'. "But I expected that. What I did not expect was the challenge of being a leader". That had scarred Theo greatly, the day he lost those men under his command. Although that day in the training session had given him much to think on, he wanted his father view of it.

Theo had gone into a slight introspection when the next part of the question graced his ears. "What? .. love .. no .. no not at all". He blushed red and lowered his face hoping the ground would swallow him up. Oh geez not that talk. By now Theo knew the .. method of how relations between a girl and boy work but that was all.

He did have many questions on this subject but, yes it was uncomfortable for many reasons. "Well, yes and no". His mind went to Nina and .. Grace. Oh great .. how do talk about all that. He wouldn't. He wanted to live.

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[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Noting the boy's blushing cheeks and stuttering voice, it became obvious to him that Théo already had feelings for someone. While undeniably curious, he would let it remain Théo's buisness until he was ready to bring it up. "It's alright, lad. You've given me all the answers I seek," he chuckled before standing up only to walk over to sit beside his son, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "I don't wish to make you feel uncomfortable, Théo. It's your life to live, and you are young, still." His eyes dropped to the block of wood in Théo's hands and smiled.

"I have never loved anyone but your mother. The thought just never occurred to me back then, to find companionship in a woman's arms. It wasn't Jedi doctrine or pride that held me back, nor a conscious choice. My focus at the time was to see the galaxy, to visit worlds I'd only heard of in tales and legends. It wasn't until my return several years later that I first met she who I would one day marry." He smiled as he used his thumb to polish his wedding ring.

"I didn't admit it at the time, but she completely floored me right there and then. It wasn't just her beauty that struck me, but her strong sense of duty, her drive and her compassion. Then there are these little things; the way her nose wrinkles when she sneezes, the way she utters specific words, the sound of her breathing when she sleeps..." Lifting his gaze back up to meet Théo's, he lightly pressed his forehead against his.

"What I'm trying to say is, these things tend to take care of themselves. There's no telling where you'll be in five years from now, or where I'll be. I won't be around forever, Théo," he said with a sudden shift in mood. "It may be a year from now - it may be 40 years from now - but one day me and your mother will be gone. It is unavoidable, and I would rather tell you this now than not at all: Do not strive to be me, or anyone else. Just be yourself. Be the boy I once taught how to walk, to speak and to love, because that boy is more precious to me than anything in this world."

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

What a strange creature a father is! Theo turned his head to look at his father as though looking upon some sort of mystic. But there was a glint of suspicion in his eye, what does he know of my feelings? Have I given it away? He sat quietly for a moment, thinking about this and his mind turned to Grace, the ghost he met in the ruins by the Tower. That was a very unique experience, and although Theo had considered her attractive he knew it was fleeting and a trick of the girl herself. Maybe all girls are like that? That they have this gift of bewitching a young man even without trying to. But his father is right, he was still very young and with lots of life ahead of him before anything of substance would happen regarding love. He thought upon Nina, was that just grown from familiarity? A safe love for someone that is well known to him? Possibly. Only time would reveal that ..

Theo was very please his father did not press the issue further but the turn of conversation to his mother and how his father feelings about her, caused Theo to pause again. Oh no, not mother. No child likes to hear their parents talk of love between their parents and Theo was no different, it made him cringe. Especially when his father talked of wrinkling noses and stuff. How would he look his mother in the face now? All he will see is her nose.

Sudden the wood in his hands became more interesting again and he applied chisel to it. There was no plan in his design, he just let his hands do the work. But this did not last long, and as his father spoke of more serious issues, Theo dropped the wood to the ground. The idea of his parents dying was frightening ...

"No, I don't want you to go, I don't want you or mother to die", he said turned and clinging to his father. Theo understood the nature of life and death, but that does not mean one understands it, or will accept it. "What, if .. what if I am not strong enough? what if I am not strong enough to protect you or mother or Nina. This scares me more then any sith ever could".

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[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Théo's reaction to his words proved the boy's innocence, slowly fading though it may be. When he clinged to his father Thurion gently hushed him, resting Théo's youthful head upon his shoulder, arm still wrapped around his shoulders. "I'm not going anywhere, son, nor is your mother. All I'm saying is there will come a time when we shall join the Living Force, like your grandmother and countless other Jedi before her." He wrapped his remaining arm around his boy, embracing him.

"Do you remember when I told you about Master Asha? I was younger than you are now when she left me, frightened and confused. She was my only family at the time, but just like my brother before her she was taken from me." Of course the latter had been returned to him through some divine miracle, some 30 years later. "I too deemed myself not strong enough to go on, but what I found was that I was not alone. I had friends who all helped keeping me on the right path. You, too, have such friends, and when the time comes you may tell them you don't need their help, but if they are true friends they will help regardless."

Thurion then placed a fatherly kiss in his son's black hair; his mother's hair. "No-one can survive in this world without help, Théo. Do not be afraid to ask it, of anyone. Especially me or your mother."

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

His head hung low as his father spoke about the future, welling tears could not be stopped and Theo was most grateful when his father wrapped his arms around him. Theo turned his face into his father's chest, feeling the heart beat under the robes .. he too stock in this, this strong power of force dwelling there and he knew just how his father's heart had strengthened over the years. Life and death, love and loss all things that make up what a person becomes, the trials of life that shape people, to either succeed or fail.

"I shall remember father, and I promise I will ask for help when I need to", he let out a long breath and reluctantly pulled back from his father's embrace. Theo wiped his own tears from his eyes as he looked down and noticed the lump in his pocket.

"Oh I almost forgot .. I have something for you". He said diving a hand to retrieve the item. "I make this for you, when I was last at home with Grandpapa. It is my friend .. the Vhaanir, Belawir". Theo took hold of his father's hand and turned the palm upward. For a moment he looked upon the palm marveling at the strength his father's hands hold in them. But then he placed the wooden carving of the Vhaanir.

"I want you to have it, so when we are not able to be together you can think of me when you see this". He smiled up into his father's face, the tears gone yet not the lingering sadness.

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[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

The wooden figurine sat in the palm of his hand while Thurion inspected the craftmanship. The design was simple, but executed with great care. "There's our little friend," he said with a smile on his lips. He would not soon forget the young buck that entered their tent the morning before battle. Such a gentle creature, so divine in its animal innocence. "Thank you, Théo." He leaned forward to place a kiss in his son's hair before ruffling it. Force knows the lad didn't care for tending to it anyway.

"You know, he should be about your age. I imagine when he first appeared to your mother and I he had only recently learned how to walk, his legs were dangling all over the place. There exists a connection between the two of you, one I cannot discern or pretend to understand." Instinctively Thurion extended a finger to pet the figurine behind the ear. "The Vhaanir are sacred to the Valkyri. Just as you are sacred to me," he added as he then wrapped both around his son, fully embracing him. "I love you, Théodred. Take my strength."

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

A big beaming smile wiped away all the trepidation from before, and a laugh escaped his mouth as his father messed up his hair, he even shied away as if his father was messing up a 'work of art' with his long black hair. "Hey there took me a good part of the year", he joked about the 'look' he was creating to be cool. But he watched his father holding the Vhaanir, it looked so small in the palm of his hand, hands just as big as his grandpapa's. Almost ...

Yet, the words that followed, Theo could not believe. "You .. you met Belawir? .. you and mother?". This surprised him so much his face and eyes looked like saucers. "I have too, the first time a few years back when Mysa and I went .. err, exploring. He was with a herd. The second time I was by myself", Theo took his saber from his belt. "That was when he gave me this", his finger indicated to the antler bone his father had carved for him. "He .. speaks to me Papa, we do have a connection and I don't know why. But .. I don't care now. It used to frighten me, but all I know is that he gives me power".

"I love you too Papa, you give me strength just by being here", he said but that was not the only sense of strength his father gives him. It is the blood line, this is true, but more life experience, love and hope. His father is very powerful in these virtues and more importantly... true to them.

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[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

When the embrace came to an end the two returned to observing the figurine still sitting in Thurion's hand. "I'm amazed we've never had a chance to tell you this, but the morning following your... creation, a young buck entered our tent. It was right before the great battle that saw your grandfather take back his father's throne, you see. At the time I assumed the buck had wandered in by mistake, lost in confusion at the new world around him. Now I think it might have been more than mere coincidence that drove him to seek us out." He smiled at the memory. "I reached out to him, and he stepped into my hand, nuzzling it before eventually turning around to rejoin the rest of the herd that passed through the encampment. It was... beautiful to behold."

Thurion looked over at his son. "The Valkyri all took it as a sign from the gods of their upcoming victory. Mannfreyd even fell to his knees in prayer, hungover and just out of bed." He laughed, only to be reminded of Mannfreyd's funeral later that same day. So much death.

But rather than succumb to these memories he slid off the bench to place the wooden Vhaanir in the grass in front of them. Rather than reclaim his seat on the bench he too sat down in the grass and leaned back against Théo's legs, wrapping them over his shoulders. He leaned his head back as far as he could to look up into his son's eyes. "Would you us staying here for a while longer?" came his request, as if asking his permission.

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Theo sat taking in every word his father spoke of Belawir, there was little doubt now that the same young buck was his. Although his father's intention was to tell him all he could of the Vhaanir, how all present had taken the appears of the sacred creatures as their sign from the gods of victory and righteousness, Theo could not help wanting to know more of the battle.

"What was it like?", he asked, "The battle". He did not know of Mannfreyd although had heard the tales of him and others that had fought that day. Of his grandfathers injuries and the Shieldmaiden Firebrand, Theo had met with Mysa. Her horse Blackwing who carried both she and the King through towering flames of fire leaping over the pits of burning oil. All the tales of that day sounded like something out of a ancient story told in old tomes, but it wasn't, it was but thirteen years ago.

His father had positioned himself on the ground in front of Theo placing his long legs over his shoulders. As his father looked up to him, Theo met his gaze with a smile. "I want to stay as long as it is possible".

And yet the cheek was still very much in the boy. "Oh did you know you are going bald?", he asked with a very 'serious' look on his face as his eyes examined his father's crown. He is very much joking and play acting.

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[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Théo's next question was to be expected by a young man who had yet to experience such events for himself. While deciding where to begin, Thurion wrapped his arms around his sons legs dangling over his shoulders and rested his head against one of them. "Your mother and I had only recently met, and we had yet to get married. Nina was just a little girl at the time and was still getting used to having a second parent. You know how shy she can be, and she was even more so back then," he smiled at the memory. His daughter had always been the epitome of gentleness and pure innocence, yet more so than Théo she was quickly becoming an adult, growing into womanhood.

"In any case, your grandfather had summoned us to Midvinter. It was to be my second time visiting our ancestral homeworld, and a first for your mother. She also had not yet met my father, and truth be told I expected a lot more questions and curiosity on Thrand's part. But there were none. He just got it right away." He supposed a man once married would recognise true love when he saw it. "We spent the evening preparing for the coming battle that would determine the next High King of Midvinter; Birthright versus Opportunism. Our opponent was Beorlund the Bold, later renamed 'the Usurper' upon your grandfather's ascending the throne." Another instance of history being written by the victors. He did not fault his father; such had been the way of the world since the dawn of time.

"The next morning our friend showed up with his family," he gestured to the small figurine sitting in the grass before them. "Even I felt all doubts of victory being washed away just from looking at them all, like bright stars they shone as they wandered the snowy ground. Walked right through the encampment, with no-one ever attempting to stop them. We learned later that to do so is forbidden." He doubted anyone could bring themself to think ill of such innocent creatures even if they tried. "The army moved out to meet the defenders on the open field, and it quickly became apparent that we were evenly matched where numbers were concerned."

"Once the fighting commenced, it all sort of becomes blurry, I'm afraid. All I remember is the snow turning red from all the blood." They were no clean cuts made by lightsabers; Valkyri weapons were made to kill and dismember in grizzly fashion, leaving little to imagination. "We fought our way through the gates to the keep, meaning to find this Usurper and end it once and for all. The great hall was all but empty, it turned out, only to find a frail, old man rambling on like a madman. I don't believe he even knew who we were or what was going on." He was unsure what became of Beorlund, but he doubted he would still be alive after over a decade in the Tháinbroek dungeons.

"Your grandfather was formally declared High King the next day, and not a single chieftain refused to pledge loyalty. I've never asked him, but I feel as if he never intended to claim the throne for himself. I think he did it out of love and respect for his father, to finally get some closure." Thurion looked back up at Théo. "Sorry if I rambled on."

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

As his father spoke of the battle on Midvinter soil, Theo sat in silence with a hand resting on his shoulder as his father's head lay upon his leg. His blue eyes lifted to the roof of the hut, to the tree tops and the sky beyond that until he found a white cloud floating slowly across the Voss sky. It was a white as snow and listening to the words, Theo was transported back home. The truth of it indeed was that Theo had not experienced such things but that day would come eventually. Whether within the galaxy or Midvinter, he would see blood run upon soil.

His hand reached for his small leather pouch, the one that never leaves his side and full of Midvinter soil. This soil, Theo had taken from the ground outside of the Thainbroek, to remind him of his connection to the ancient land. He sat the pouch on the bench beside him and opened the leather string that kept it closed and laid the it flat to see the dirt. He had to wonder if there was the blood of warriors in this small sample, as his finger tip ran through the grit.

"Mother must really love you", he said softly as he turned to gaze down into his father's eyes, his eyes. "To go with you to fight a fight that was not her's. At least not at that time". He hoped that one day he would find such a love, that he would go and stand beside someone special that called to him.

"I did not know it was forbidden either, to touch the Vhaanir. I have too, Belawir came to me and nuzzled me .. I could not help but reach out to him. He is as white as that cloud", he pointed skyward, with a hint of homesickness in his voice.

"Do you feel it father? the connection to Midvinter?", he asked as he reached for his father's hand and poured some of the soil in his palm. "This, above all things, is where I draw my strength from".

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[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

"I won't tell if you don't," Thurion replied with a wink. As his palm was then graced with a bit of Midvinter soil, he looked up into his son's face and smiled. "Want to know a secret?"

All of sudden he spun around to a kneeling position in front of Théo, still well within reach before returning the soil to its leather pouch. His hand went for Théo's to hold as their eyes met. "I have a connection to Midvinter greater than any piece of memorabilia could compare to; I have a son bursting at the seams with Valkyri spirit." There was the Corellian side to him as well, but Théo had never set foot on or even seen his mother's homeworld with his own eyes. Not that there was much to see after its destruction other than pain and misery over such loss of life.

Thus, all the boy had ever known, as far as his heritage is concerned, was Midvinter.

Placing a tender kiss upon his son's hand, Thurion reclaimed his seat beside Théo on the bench. "Promise me, you will not let anyone or anything change you into someone you're not. Just be yourself."

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]​

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

A chuckle came from Théo with his father's cheeky look and wink, ah so that is where I get this mischief from. It was now that Théo wondered what his father was like as a child, whether he got up to some of the things Théo has. He smiled on this. But he soon was brought back to reality when he father suddenly turned around and looked up at him from the ground, and as he continued to speak, Théo sat contemplating his words while looking down at the pouch filled with Midvinter soil.

"It is in me, from the day I was born and will remain with me until the day I die", he said voicing his mind. "I promise I will do my best, to remain unchanged. No matter what happens". No one can promise such a thing completely, life will not permit it, but he can try.

He threw his arms around his father's shoulders, his chin resting there as he looked out around the gardens in which they sat. This place by the hut a secret place for father and son, a place they come to be together and spend precious time. It is cool and green, full of life and the living force .. nothing like Midvinter which is fine. For simply being in his father's company, makes anywhere home.

Pulling back from the embrace, Théo took up the pouch of soil. "You are right, I don't need this to remind me of anything. All I have to do is look into my own face and see the connection there, through my eyes", he looked up into his father's eyes. He stood up and emptied the soil from the leather pouch onto the ground between his father and himself, sprinkling it onto the grass. "Now Midvinter is here, in our special place .. forever. I love you, my father".

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[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

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The end.​